If you can get your qualified electrical workers using this simplified arc flash PPE chart then you're going to reduce confusion of what to wear almost down to zero.

Let me explain.

How the simplified arc flash PPE chart works

There is really one piece of information that holds this all together. It's the fact that CSAz462 and NFPA70E both require you to use an arc rated hood when the incident energy levels are higher than 12cal/cm2.

Now that paragraph alone could confuse anyone but what I basically said is if the amount of expected heat energy is more than 12 then you need to wear more protection.

Essentially, the simplified approach only has two options, and the only decision point is when you have more than 12cal/cm2. If you don't know where to find the heat energy numbers then you should read our article on "how to read arc flash labels".

Below 12cal/cm2

When the incident energy levels are below 12cal/cm2 then you can wear the following: